iHOPE

Have You 'Saved the Date'?

  By now you may have heard that Saturday, May 21 is the beginning of the end. It's on that day- about 6:00 pm local time, that the Rapture is supposed to take place, whisking all true Christians into heaven.  Everyone else will have to endure a time of terrible suffering until the world ends on October 21.

  At least that is what is going to happen according to Harold Camping.  The 89 year old founder of Family Radio and his followers have been posting billboards around the country to let people know that Jesus is coming soon and everyone should get ready.  Of course, he also beleived

• The world would end in 1994
• All churches are apostate (fraudulent)
• No one has been 'saved' since 1994
• The Holy Spirit has left the Church
• ...you get the idea.

  Predicting the end of the world is nothing new, of course. The best-selling book in the 70's was Hal Lindsay's The Late, Great Planet Earth. Lindsay predicted that the world would end no later than 1988. One web page listed some of the more notable (more than 50 are listed) other attempts to predict the end of time (I don't endorse this page, but the list is interesting).

  Is Camping right?  Not likely- though since I don't know when Christ is coming again, my guess is as good as anyone else's. But that's the point- it's all just a guess.

  Once in awhile someone will ask me to do a class othe Book of Revelation. I usually decline because it is akin to quicksand- easy to get in, hard to get out, but I'll address this piece in the sermon on Sunday. The topic ties in with what I was going to talk about anyway and I know a lot of people have a lot of genuine questions about it. I'll give you my best thoughts even as I know there are many people who have a different take on it. You can make up your own mind from there. Of course, if we are all here on Sunday, that will prove something, so 'Save the Date'- May 22!

 And, if I'm wrong, it's not like it's the end of the world.

  Oh, wait....

 

 

Ordination Standards and the Presbyterian Church

   If you haven't already, you'll soon be hearing that the Presbyterian Church (USA) has changed its ordination standards for Deacons Elders and Ministers- specifically allowing people in same sex realationships to be ordained. At least, that is what you'll hear.

  Others will say that nothing has really changed and that what was approved is nothing more than de-centralizing the authority over who gets to make decisions about ordination of officers.

  Both of those statements have some truth- and both leave some key pieces out.

Ralph Pippitt Memorial

  Ralph Pippitt passed away early Monday morning. His Memorial service is Saturday, May 14 at 11:00.

  It's been hard trying to my thoughts into words- not a comfortable position for someone whose job depends on that skill! Hopefully, I'll be better by Saturday.

  Right now, I am a mix of gratitude and grief.

  I am grateful for Ralph's life, legacy and friendship. I am grateful that once the diagnosis was made, Ralph was able to spend quality time with family and friends. I am also grateful that his suffering did not have to drag out for months- or years (those who have watched a loved one go through a prolonged illness and suffering will understand).  Ralph got to have many good days even with his cancer, let alone the many great years of the rest of his life. I am grateful for all of this, and more.

  At the same time, I am grieved at losing Ralph. I miss him already. I don't want to have to say, 'Good-bye'. I hate the thought of it.

  It is a funny thing about grief. The greater it is, the greater the evidence of the impact that person had on your life.  Judging from the grief I have been experiencing in myself and others, Ralph Pippitt had a big impact on a lot of lives.

  That is why, despite the fact that I detest the thought of having to officiate a Memorial Service for Ralph, I wouldn't miss it. His is a life worth celebrating. The joy of knowing him is worth the pain of losing him- and then some.

  I suspect I'm not alone in this. That is why I suggest you come a little early if you want to get a seat on Saturday. Then again, who wouldn't consider it an honor to stand for Ralph Pippitt?